Ottawa Senators Fall In Overtime To The Arizona Coyotes

In a game the Ottawa Senators had to win last night, they came up short. They fell 3-2 in overtime against the last place Arizona Coyotes.

Once again, the Ottawa Senators fell in extra time in a game they should have won this season. They picked up a point when they should have had two.  Giving up a hat trick to Anthony Duclair they blew a prime opportunity for an extra point.

First Period

The first period was one that went decently for the Sens. They played fairly well and got the first goal of the game. Mark Stone continued to be red hot and opened the game late in the period. Unfortunately, the Sens gave up a breakaway with less than a minute left and Anthony Duclair scored to tie the game as the period came to a close.

Second Period

The second period saw Mark Borowiecki of all players score. A great pass from Pageau gave him an open net to shoot at and he delivered. With Borowiecki scoring you would think this is the type of game that the Sens were about to blow wide open. That wasn’t the case and the period ended 2-1.

Third Period

The third period the Sens failed to convert on two early penalties. This would come back to bite them as Duclair scored on a botched play by Condon.  A broken play in the neutral zone saw the puck go into Ottawa’s zone. No defencemen were back and Duclair was the closest to the puck. In order to avoid a breakaway Condon tried to make a diving play to clear the puck. Unfortunately, he missed the puck and Duclair got an easy goal. This sent the game to overtime.

Overtime

Overtime saw the Sens fail to score on the powerplay after Raanta robbed them of a prime opportunity. Quickly after Duclair took a shot and it trickled through the pads of Condon for the win.

Powerplay Issues

This is a game the Ottawa Senators had to win. They gave up a point they needed to pickup against the worst team in the league. Yes, they outplayed the Coyotes, and yes, a lot of the goals against were kind of flukes. That isn’t good enough against the Coyotes. Bad luck isn’t an excuse against a team like Arizona. The Sens had five powerplays that they failed to score on and only out shot the Coyotes by four.

Goaltending Problems

This game also brings up a problem the Sens have had all season, goaltending. The first goal you can’t fault Condon for as it way a breakaway, but the other two he had to save. The second goal he made a terrible diving play on a puck that Duclair may not have got to otherwise, but it can be argued that he would have had a breakaway if Condon didn’t make a play. The overtime goal is inexcusable, Condon had to save that. It was a bad angle shot that somehow got through his five-hole. The Sens need to tighten up on the powerplay and with goaltending or make no mistake they will fall out of the playoff picture.

Next: Ottawa Senators Look To Bounce Back Versus Coyotes

Next Game

They play again today against the New York Rangers at risk of losing three straight.